Sloth World Deaths Reported

More than 30 wild sloths died in the care of Florida’s planned Sloth World attraction before the Orlando venue opened. (worldanimalprotection.org) World Animal Protection said on April 22 that state inspection and necropsy records show at least 31 sloths died between late 2024 and early 2025 after importation from Guyana and Peru. Inside Climate News reported the deaths on April 16 from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission records obtained through a public-records request. (worldanimalprotection.org) (insideclimatenews.org) According to those records, 21 sloths arrived from Guyana in December 2024 and were moved to an off-site warehouse near International Drive; all 21 later died. A second shipment of 10 sloths arrived from Peru in February 2025, with two dead on arrival and the other eight later dying as well. (worldanimalprotection.org) (fox35orlando.com) State records cited by World Animal Protection and local outlets said the warehouse lacked reliable electricity and running water when the animals arrived, and heaters repeatedly failed in cold conditions. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigators also documented sloths that were emaciated, infected or under severe physiological stress. (worldanimalprotection.org) (insideclimatenews.org) The attraction is part of Orlando’s tourist corridor, where animal encounters are sold alongside other International Drive attractions. Sloth World’s website says it is building a 7,500-square-foot indoor “Slotharium,” advertises hour-long guided tours starting at $49, and describes the project as conservation-focused. (slothworld.com) (insideclimatenews.org) That conservation pitch is central to the dispute. World Animal Protection said the dead animals were wild-caught and that the case shows how wildlife tourism can depend on capture, transport and confinement even when attractions are marketed as education or rescue. (worldanimalprotection.org) (worldanimalprotection.us) Sloth World presents itself differently on its own site, saying it provides sloths from “distressed habitats” with a calm environment, supports rescue partners in Guyana and Costa Rica, and uses ticket revenue for care, education and research. The company’s site also says tours are led by its care team and framed as “ethical wildlife experiences.” (slothworld.com) Fox 35 Orlando reported that Sloth World denied the state report’s account of the deaths and said the animals died from a virus. The station also reported that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission did not issue citations, warnings or violations tied to intentional misconduct, though inspectors later gave a verbal warning over cage size. (fox35orlando.com) (dailykos.com) As of this week, the attraction’s website still promotes upcoming tours while saying the venue is in “decoration mode,” and Orlando-area coverage says opening dates have slipped. The deaths are now moving from an inspection file to a public test of how animal attractions sell conservation to tourists. (hoodline.com) (orlandoweekly.com)